Self-locking slider for slide fasteners



' pt. 10. 1 A. E. CARLILE 2,214,705

SELF-LOCKING SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Filed July 19, 1939 up 141? f 11F 5 INVENTOR. m; y f ,5? MedEL'a/ZiIe.

In: W

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Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES SELF-LOCKING SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Alfred E. Oarlile, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 19, 1939, Serial No. 285,375 I Claims.

. This invention relates to slide fasteners and, in particular, to the provision of an improved self-locking slider therefor.

It is an object of this invention to provide an 5 improved lock slider construction of the general type described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,853,634, granted April 12, 1932, to Samuel H. Norton, which is smoother and more silent in operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a construction wherein distribution of wear upon the slider in operation is substantially improved because of the provision of substantial three-point contact between each stringer and 5 surfaces of the slider channel in which the slide fastener members of the stringer are slidably received.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a construction wherein the application of stringer straightening forces to the fastener will cause locking of the slider against accidental longitudinal movement with respect to the associated stringers through contact of the fastener members with the diamond or wedge of the slider rather than with the flanges, flange 3 the locking area provided in prior self-locking slider constructions between the slider and the fastener members of the stringers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a construction accomplishing substantial reductionof wear upon the stringers due to the obviation of abrupt curving, flexing, or bending of the stringers and stringer cords within the slider channel whereby substantially to decrease the wear upon the cord and the stringers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a slider construction embodying simplicity of design, great strength, rigidity and durability because of the provision therein of relatively thick walls or flanges, and relatively large and strong wedge or diamond.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a slider construction which is particularly adapted to plastic molding and metallic die casting methods of manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms a part thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

.65 In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the lower portion of a slide fastener embodying my slider construction as a component part;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the position taken by the parts when longitudinal force is applied to the slider;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing 1 the position taken by the parts when transverse separating force is applied to the slide fastener stringers above the slider; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 but showing the position taken by the parts when 15 transverse separating force is applied to the slide fastener stringers adjacent the slider.

Referring to the drawing in detail and with reference particularly to Fig. 1 wherein, for the purposes of illustration only, I have shown the 20 application of my improved slider to an otherwise conventional slide fastener of the non-separating type, the slide fastener stringers, which are generally designated l0, comprise tapes ll of suitable material, preferably reinforced at one 25 edge l2, and having secured to the reinforced edge 12 in suitable spaced relationship fastener members I4 which are adapted for interengagement in known manner to secure the adjacent edges of the stringers l0 together. The lower 30 ends of the reinforced edges I2 of the stringers l0 are secured together by suitable bottom stop means such as the fixed or non-separating bottom stop IS.

The slider is generally designated l6 and is 35 preferably, though not necessarily, of integral construction. The slider body comprises the rear or back wing l4 and forward or front wing I8 which are secured together in parallel spaced relationship by the wedge member or diamond 0 member 19, The wedge or diamond member l9 cooperates with marginal side flanges 2| on the rear or back wing I! and marginal side flanges 22 on the forward or front wing l8 to define aisubstantially Y-shaped slider channel adapted slid- 5 ably to receive the reinforced edges 12 of the stringers and the attached fastener members H.

In order that the slider I6 may be readily moved manually longitudinally of the slide fastener stringers, the forward or front wing I8 is provided with a longitudinal recess or channel 23 which extendsfrom end to end thereof and in which there; isdisposed an elongated, substantially rectangular pull member 24 which has the upper end thereof pivotally secured to the II forward or frontwing H! by means of the transverse pin 25 extending through suitable aligned bores provided in the front wing I8 and the pull member 24.

The dominant feature of this invention resides in the reversely curved nature of the slider channel. This channel, which is generally designated 26, is formed. by the inner lateral surfaces of the pairs of flanges 2| and 22 and the lateral surfaces of the wedge IS. The channel is substantially Y-shaped and comprises a substantially straight throat portion 26a at the lower end of the slider which extends upwardly into two inwardly curving branches 26b which are separated by the wedge |=9.

Each side flange 2| is separated from the adjacent side flange 22 by a slot 260 which extendslaterally from the channel 26, as shown in Fig. 2. These slots are adapted slidably to receive the tapes II of the stringers Ill.

The inner lateral surfaces of the side flanges 2| and 22 are reversely curved, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, in such manner that the inner lateral surface portions defining the throat portion 260 of the channel 26 are substantially straight or flat while the inner lateral surface portions defining the branches are concave, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. The lower or inner lateral surface portions of the wedge l9 are convex and are substantially parallel with the adjacent complementary branch-forming concave lateral surfaces of the flanges 2| and 22.

The upper inner corners of the side flanges 2| and 22 are rounded or bevelled to prevent wedging engagement or ratcheting between the outer ends or leg portions of the fastener members [4 and these upper portions of the side flanges.

It will thus be seen that the slider channel is reversely curved and the upper diverging branches thereof are curved inwardly toward one another at the top of the slider. Because of this curvature in the branches of the slider channel, the locking engagement between fastener members 14 and the slider is accomplished because of the inwardly directed thrust exerted upon the fastener members disposed at the intermediate portion of each branch upon the application of transverse forces to the stringers above or below the slider which tend to stretch 0,-r straighten the reinforced edges l2 of the stringers.

In Fig. 3, the position of parts is illustrated wherein no substantial transverse forces exist and wherein the slider i6 is freely slidable longitudinally of the stringers l0. Itwill be seen in Fig. 3 that the head portions of the fastener members M ride freely over the surface of the wedge or diamond member I9 while the rear portions or leg portions of the members l4 slide freely over the curved surfaces between the straight throat portion 26a and the branches 26b and over the rounded or bevelled upper inner corners of the flanges 2| and 22, as described above. There is, therefore, substantially threepoint contact between the fastener members it on each stringer and the engaged slider surfaces. In each case, as will be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the fastener members engaging the surfaces of the wedge member N are always disposed upon the bent portion of the reinforced edge |2 of the stringers.

The application of any transverse force to the "stringers, either above the slider as in Fig. 4 or in line with the slider as in Fig. 5, will cause a locking engagement. Where the transverse force is disposed either above or below the slider, the locking engagement occurs because of the tendency toward straightening of the reinforced edges 2 and consequent application of inward force to the fastener members engaging the wedge l9.

Where the transverse force is in line with the fastener, as in Fig. 5, the fastener members in the intermediate portion of the curved slider channel branches are caused to seek the line of least resistance, as does a marble in a bowl, whereby they take the position illustrated in Fig. 5. The locking effect in this last case is accomplished independently of engagement of the fastener members M. with the wedge I9, as shown.

In Figs. 4 and 5, the fastener members M within the throat'and branches of the channel 26 are designated Ma to Hi respectively. It will be seen that where a straightening force is applied branches of the channel, are thrust inwardly against the surface of the wedge I9. The curvature of the upper inner corners of the.'side flanges 2| and 22 prevents undue interference with the leg portions of the fastener'members and, also, the application of undue friction to the portions of the reinforced edges l2 disposed between adjacent fastener members M, as the fastener members l4 and Nb of- Fig. 4.

The gentle curvature of the portion joining the throat portion 26a and the branches 26b of the channel causes free sliding movement between the leg portions of the fastener members and the slider. In the position of parts illustrated in Fig. 4, the leg portion of the fastener member Ila are rockingly supported on the upper inner corner of the left side flange 22. The fastener member Mb is substantially free while the head portion of the fastener member |4c lightly engages the surface of the wedge IS. The fastener members Md and Me are thrust inwardly with substantial force, as indicated by the arrows, while the fastener member |4f has a' corner of the leg portion in engagement with the inner surface of the right side flange 22, which tends to cause rotation thereof in the direction of the arrow. The fastener members My, M71. and Hi are thrust outwardly, slightly, toward the inner surfaces of the side flanges in the throat portion 260. of the channel 26.

In the position of parts shown in Fig. 5 wherein the transverse force is exerted substantially in a line through the inwardly curved diverging branches of the channel 26, the thrust exerted upon each of the fastener members I4 is shown by the arrows, and it will be seen that the locking effect is achieved mainly by contact of the fastener members I lc, 14d and Me in the concave surface portions of the side flanges 2| and 22. The fastener member Me has a slight clockwise torque exerted thereonwhile a similar counterclockwise torque is exerted on the fastener member Mb. A slight counter-clockwise torque is exerted on the fastener member My while a reverse or clockwise torque is exerted on the fastener member MI. The fastener members Mn and I42, which are disposed in the throat portion 26a of the channel 26, are subjected only to a slight outward thrust against the channel walls of the throat portion. In this case, it is to be noted that the fastener members are all free of contact with the wedge I9.

It is to be noted that in each position of the parts, substantial area of contact is provided between the various surfaces of the fastener members and the various interior surfaces of the slider. It is also to be noted that there are no abrupt bends or curves in the interior slider surfaces and that, for that reason, the slider is extremely free running, being subjected to relatively no undue friction, clicking, and ratcheting, such as is common in such prior, inherently locking slide fastener slider constructions wherein such surfaces or projections are found.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative and in no wise limiting and that'I desire to comprehend within my invention all modifications included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein a slider channel comprising a straight throat portion having upwardly diverging curved branches leading therefrom, the upper ends of said curved branches being directed inwardly toward one another and the upper outer corners of said branches being rounded for preventing ratcheting between the slider and fastener members passing through said branches.

2. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings having marginal side flanges and a wedge member connecting the upper ends of said wings and disposed within said flanges, the inner surfaces of said flanges being reversely curved and cooperating with said wedge to form a slider channel comprising a straight throat portion and upwardly diverging branches of slight curvature leading from said throat portion, said branches having their upper terminal portions inclined inwardly toward one another, and said wedge member having its widest portion adjacent its lower end and aligned substantially with the widest spaced portions of the inner surfaces of said marginal side flanges.

3. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings having marginal side flanges and a wedge member connecting the up' per ends of said wings and disposed within said flanges, the surfaces of said wedge member within said flanges being convex and of gradual curvature, the lower portions of the inner surfaces of said flanges being straight and forming a straight channel throat, and the upper portions of said inner flange surfaces being concave and forming with the curved surfaces of said wedge upwardly diverging curved branches leading from said channel throat and inwardly directed toward one another at their upper ends, and the upper inner corners of said marginal side flanges being rounded for reduction of friction between said slider and fastener members in said channel.

4. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body comprising a pair of wings having marginal side flanges with reversely curved inner surfaces, and a wedge member joining said wings with its widest portion adjacent its lower end, in alignment with the widest spaced portions of the inner surfaces of said side flanges, and having curved outer surfaces disposed within said flanges, said slider body having therein a slider channel formed by said wedge and said flanges and comprising a straight throat portion having upwardly diverging curved branches leading therefrom, said throat portion and said diverging channel branches being joined by surfaces of gradual curvature and cooperating with fastener stringers within said channel to convert stringer straightening stresses into inward thrust upon fastener members of said stringers toward the curved surfaces of said wedge for frictionally locking said slider with respect to said slider stringers.

5. A slider construction as defined in claim 4, the upper inner corners of said marginal side flanges being rounded for reduction of friction between said slider and fastener members in said channel.

ALFRED E. CARLILE. 

